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The MV Caledonian Sky is one of the finest small ships in the world, according to the cruise ship's website.
But earlier this month, the British-owned ship caused irreparable damage to a prized coral reef in Indonesian waters, leaving the Indonesian Government outraged.
The 4,200-gross-ton ship, with 79 crew and 102 passengers on board, rammed into the reef in the waters of Radja Ampat.
Some 1,600 square metres of the reef was destroyed, according to Indonesian officials.
Owned by the British company Noble Caledonia, the ship had been visiting surrounding islands for bird watching.
It was grounded on the reef and could not be freed by a local tug boat that came to assist.
"The damage by Caledonian Sky which was captain by Keith Michael Taylor was devastating and irreparable," a statement from Indonesia's maritime affairs ministry said.
"The destruction of Radja Ampat coral reefs which were developed by nature for hundreds of years was done in less than one day by Caledonian Sky and its captain."
Indonesia alleges the captain freed the boat and then without assessing the damage, sailed to Indonesia's Bitung and then on to the Philippines.
Indonesia said it is a criminal matter which it will be pursuing.
It will seek charges under the Indonesian Environmental Law No 32/ 2009.
"Even though the vessel has left the Indonesian territory, the Government believes that for the sake of global environmental concern, the owner of the business of Caledonian Sky, Captain Keith Michael Taylor and the insurance company, will be cooperative in this matter," the maritime affairs ministry in Jakarta said.
Topics: environmental-impact, environmental-policy, environmental-health, international-law, indonesia, asia, pacific, united-kingdom
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